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samjunipero's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Maybe a 2.5. I'm glad I read one of the formative lesbian pulp novels and the writing is good, but it ends on such a depressing note and I'm not sure if I actually enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Homophobia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts
toadtornado's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sarahervas1989's review against another edition
3.0
Let’s just say that I am devastated, but let’s face it…it’s what you can get from reading mainstream Lesbian Pulp Fiction, you know it is going to end in a devastating way and that there will always be a freshman student who is suppose to be “corrupted into the communist practice of homosexuality” and a senior student who “is sick because she is a lesbian.” That being said, Vin Packer, being a lesbian herself, knew what hot it was to be a lesbian in the 50s, and many times it could end up as this book ends up: with the senior student in a mental institution being depicted as a complete madwoman.
Furthermore, the book shows very well the crazy dates that were set up by members from sororities and fraternities and the abuse and rape that took place because of them (therefore, another devastating element from the book), as we already know this environment is a very toxic one…Linked with this is the topic of “the absent mother” or “a really difficult relationship with the mother” that is also present in Lesbian Pulp Fiction and that is manifested in the main characters: Mitch and Leda. It is a very Freudian theme that is of course “coherent” with its period. It is fair to say that the book plays very well with ambiguity and sometimes it is difficult to know “who is corrupting who”, which shows very well the nonsense and hypocrisy of considering homosexuality a deviance or sickness.
In a nutshell, I am very grateful I was born in 1998 and not in the US 50s
Furthermore, the book shows very well the crazy dates that were set up by members from sororities and fraternities and the abuse and rape that took place because of them (therefore, another devastating element from the book), as we already know this environment is a very toxic one…Linked with this is the topic of “the absent mother” or “a really difficult relationship with the mother” that is also present in Lesbian Pulp Fiction and that is manifested in the main characters: Mitch and Leda. It is a very Freudian theme that is of course “coherent” with its period. It is fair to say that the book plays very well with ambiguity and sometimes it is difficult to know “who is corrupting who”, which shows very well the nonsense and hypocrisy of considering homosexuality a deviance or sickness.
In a nutshell, I am very grateful I was born in 1998 and not in the US 50s
eliz89062's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
piratebear's review against another edition
4.0
This book holds a very important value to me in various regards.
For one, it’s a lesbian pulp fiction story, which is a small window of LGBT+ history that I get to peer into. In addition, I believe that this is an important piece of publishing history too, which is a win.
Secondly, the ending wasn’t as terrible as I had thought it to be. While yes, the two are separated in the end, I had the smallest suspicion that at least the two could still be close at heart. Very bittersweet, and this is very much me reading these through rose color glasses.
Third, this book was gifted to me as a birthday gift.
For those who know the story, they know. However for those uninformed, or for some random stranger reading this review, acquiring this book has been a difficult journey.
I had previously attempted to bid for this particular first print gold medal edition on eBay, but have been unsuccessful.
Fast forward to my birthday, I had been browsing through a used bookstore that was close to my college when I spotted the copy of this book in the rare books display case. I had asked the worker stocking the books, how much Spring Fire was priced as.
They said it was for $100.
Thanking them, I left back for my dorm. I would later meet up with a friend and tell them about my small birthday excursion at the bookstore. They eventually asked me what the worker looked like.
I asked why.
And they said that they have previously been on a date with someone who worked at the bookstore. And that their date had stated that the worker would give discounts to those who look gay.
I gave the description of the worker I spoke with, and my friend confirmed that it was them. And then my friend insisted on the fact that we go to the store RIGHT THAT INSTANT.
Speeding all the way there, I barely made eye contact with the worker before asking them to purchase the copy of Spring Fire.
They told me that since the book had some cosmetic damage that they would reduce the price from a $100 to 65 plus tax of 4 bucks.
A grand sum of $69. Nice.
After speeding out of the store, giddy with book in hand, I was later informed that my friend had in fact engaged with more intimate relations with said worker. And that all it took was a direct eye contact and a small wave for the price to be discounted as heavily as it was.
Moral of the story:
If you are gay, and are a lover of rare/expensive books, consider either rizzing up book store workers. OR, just have friends that are good at doing so.
For one, it’s a lesbian pulp fiction story, which is a small window of LGBT+ history that I get to peer into. In addition, I believe that this is an important piece of publishing history too, which is a win.
Secondly, the ending wasn’t as terrible as I had thought it to be. While yes, the two are separated in the end, I had the smallest suspicion that at least the two could still be close at heart. Very bittersweet, and this is very much me reading these through rose color glasses.
Third, this book was gifted to me as a birthday gift.
For those who know the story, they know. However for those uninformed, or for some random stranger reading this review, acquiring this book has been a difficult journey.
I had previously attempted to bid for this particular first print gold medal edition on eBay, but have been unsuccessful.
Fast forward to my birthday, I had been browsing through a used bookstore that was close to my college when I spotted the copy of this book in the rare books display case. I had asked the worker stocking the books, how much Spring Fire was priced as.
They said it was for $100.
Thanking them, I left back for my dorm. I would later meet up with a friend and tell them about my small birthday excursion at the bookstore. They eventually asked me what the worker looked like.
I asked why.
And they said that they have previously been on a date with someone who worked at the bookstore. And that their date had stated that the worker would give discounts to those who look gay.
I gave the description of the worker I spoke with, and my friend confirmed that it was them. And then my friend insisted on the fact that we go to the store RIGHT THAT INSTANT.
Speeding all the way there, I barely made eye contact with the worker before asking them to purchase the copy of Spring Fire.
They told me that since the book had some cosmetic damage that they would reduce the price from a $100 to 65 plus tax of 4 bucks.
A grand sum of $69. Nice.
After speeding out of the store, giddy with book in hand, I was later informed that my friend had in fact engaged with more intimate relations with said worker. And that all it took was a direct eye contact and a small wave for the price to be discounted as heavily as it was.
Moral of the story:
If you are gay, and are a lover of rare/expensive books, consider either rizzing up book store workers. OR, just have friends that are good at doing so.
maddiereadswords's review against another edition
dark
sad
3.0
I really struggled with how to give this book a star rating because the thing is, this is not a good or fun book. The author admits in the introduction that it's poorly written and not very good (which I tend to agree with), but at the same time, it was a really powerful experience, I'm not even gonna lie. This book is the first lesbian pulp novel, and the success it found within the community despite the tragic story is nothing short of profound. Like, 70 years ago, this book taught so many lesbians that they weren't alone, and now decades later, it serves as a powerful reminder of how far the community has come (while also still having real and depressing resonance today.)
I absolutely would not recommend this book to almost anyone. It is depressing and hard to read, and the ending is just so bleak that I can't imagine anyone sitting down and actively enjoying it. That being said, I'm really glad that I read this. Wouldn't do it again!! But I'm glad I can say that I did.
I absolutely would not recommend this book to almost anyone. It is depressing and hard to read, and the ending is just so bleak that I can't imagine anyone sitting down and actively enjoying it. That being said, I'm really glad that I read this. Wouldn't do it again!! But I'm glad I can say that I did.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Rape, Sexual violence, Car accident, Homophobia, Forced institutionalization, Lesbophobia, Sexism, and Misogyny
nowheretopark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
3.75
The intro is absolutely worth reading. And if that intrigues you enough, read on. It is incredibly depressing, and graphically violent, physically and emotionally.
shrewdbard's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
In 1952, Marijane Meaker came to her editor with the idea of writing a novel about the lesbian experience. He agreed, but with one very important stipulation: the book could not end happily. She was not allowed to portray homosexuality as “right” in any way. He also did not believe the book would be a success in any way. They slapped a photo of two pinup girls on the cover and sent it to print, hoping it would sell on titillation alone.
It was a bigger success than either of them expected, but not in the way Meaker’s editor intended. They received an outpouring of fanmail from women who had never seen themselves on the shelves of bookstores before.
Spring Fire gave birth to an entire genre of lesbian pulp fiction, and the very many tragic endings they met. Women going crazy, women gone murderous, women dying terribly. Most of Spring Fire’s progeny ranges from vapid, soft core porn to moralistic schlock, so imagine my surprise when I read this book, and found a deeply earnest portrayal of the isolation and ardors of gay women’s lives. From the very first page, when I read her description of Mitch, I realized I was in for something much different than I initially imagined.
Meaker admits herself in the foreword that this book isn’t very well written, and I have to agree. (In fact, it’s arguable that the foreword is the best part of the book.) But there’s still a sincerity to Mitch and Leda’s stories that gives this book credible weight, and makes the homophobic ending all the more saddening to read. If you’re interested in the history of popular gay fiction, I recommend this. It’s an interesting piece of history, and somewhat arresting to see how far we’ve come.
It was a bigger success than either of them expected, but not in the way Meaker’s editor intended. They received an outpouring of fanmail from women who had never seen themselves on the shelves of bookstores before.
Spring Fire gave birth to an entire genre of lesbian pulp fiction, and the very many tragic endings they met. Women going crazy, women gone murderous, women dying terribly. Most of Spring Fire’s progeny ranges from vapid, soft core porn to moralistic schlock, so imagine my surprise when I read this book, and found a deeply earnest portrayal of the isolation and ardors of gay women’s lives. From the very first page, when I read her description of Mitch, I realized I was in for something much different than I initially imagined.
Meaker admits herself in the foreword that this book isn’t very well written, and I have to agree. (In fact, it’s arguable that the foreword is the best part of the book.) But there’s still a sincerity to Mitch and Leda’s stories that gives this book credible weight, and makes the homophobic ending all the more saddening to read. If you’re interested in the history of popular gay fiction, I recommend this. It’s an interesting piece of history, and somewhat arresting to see how far we’ve come.
claire60's review against another edition
2.0
If you want to understand more about how toxic life was in the 50's for women, especially if you were lesbian or bisexual, then this is the book for you. Also shines a light on college campus and the fraternity/sorority systems of privilege, a truly grim read.